The Politics of Trade

Crimes against a people in the name of science should never be an excuse. If anything should be done in the name of science, it should be the return of the Yanomami blood to its owners.

Decades ago, Napoleon Chagnon and James Neel began studying the Yanomami. Like all researchers, they found a way to get the most out of their test subjects. For the Yanomami, it was through trade—knives and fishing hooks in return for blood samples.

It began innocently enough. The anthropologists got what they wanted and the Yanomamo went on with their newly acquired goods. A symbiotic relationship made in history book heaven. However, all good things must come to an end.

When someone feels threatened, they almost never play nice. The Yanomami are no exception to this.

Word travels fast, even through the seemingly impenetrable Amazon. When the Yanomami heard that the blood samples taken decades ago were still being housed by scientific institutions, it aroused the “fierce” nature described by Chagnon in the sixties.

With a conviction that can only be described as religious, the Yanomami are fighting for the return of the blood so their ancestors can finally rest in peace.

“Rest in peace” is a phrase has been used repeatedly in western society when a person passes away. It may have lost its effect from overuse but in the Yanomami society, it is ever powerful.

"Yanomamo" in their language means "man." It is easy to place the blame on Chagnon and Neel but reality is that the Yanomami are like artifacts to many anthropologists—to be used for information. Once the anthropologists come to see these people as "Yanomamo" instead of test subjects and blood samples, then the issue may finally be resolved and the blood returned to their rightful owners.

Until then, the debate will continue and the Yanomami will never rest in peace.

Irony

I spent new year last year in the crapper and the year ended up being shit.

The "freshness factor" indeed!

Jason mother-freaking Mraz!

No words can describe my euphoric state at his concert in Austin- yes, I paid about $250^[1] to drive to Austin for one night to see the man. My life is almost complete! I will leave you with these images courtesy of my concert buddy, Sarah, and wonderful videos- we split duties.

^[1] Don't judge me!! It's Jason Mraz!!! He made Wordplay!

I found the reason

my father chose to move us to the United States.

Photo Credit: I don't really give a damn because I'm too happy!!!

America, F*** Yeah!

"If a Muslim woman strapped with a bomb on a bus with the seconds running gives you the jitters, just imagine an American-based Christian organization planning to poison water supplies to bring the Second Coming quicker."
- Lupe Fiasco

Ebay is crack

Every bid is like shooting up and getting that crazy high that leaves you paralyzed with euphoria. I don't really know what it's like to win mostly because I do it just to see how high the max bid has gone ^[1]. I have a feeling that if I did win, I would

1. Punch my fist in the air in a decleration of my victory
   
2. Beat my chest in a way slightly reminiscent of Tarzan
   
3. Begin running circles around the room
4. Shudder at the fact that I am a sad human being and spent all that time watching an item
5. Start panicking because I just spent a crapload of money
6. Shrug my shoulders because it is not my money
7. Change my facebook status to reflect my current state of emotions

...in that order.
That being said, I have just made my first serious bid and will basically

1. Cry and wallow in my misery
2. Die in a corner

...if I don't win the item. This will be even worse than the time [insert really bad memory here]^[2].

UPDATE: I GOT IT!!!! JASON MRAZ IN AUSTIN!!! WOOT WOOT!!!

^[1] ...and because I was flat broke at the time.
^[2] I don't really have that many bad memories because I have lived a wonderful life.

Q

I had the honor to be in the presence of the great Quincy Jones last week and the impossible happened- as soon as he stepped on stage, I bolted out of my seat and began clapping furiously as if demanding an encore of his entrance. Then my eyes began to fog up and I had the urge to hug the person next to me and cry like a baby. I have no idea what brought about this sudden rush of emotions... It must be the Q.